LAS VEGAS — Jordan Miller knows he has a lot to prove at Summer League this year, and so far he’s done nothing to dissuade those who think he should be on the main roster by the time training camp opens in October.
Through four games in Las Vegas—a stretch in which the LA Clippers have gone 4-0 and won games by an average of 12.8 points—the 2023 second-round pick is averaging 24.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.3 steals on 54.4% shooting. Miller’s trotted to the line 37 times, making 29 of them, and his defense has stood out in a major way as the Clippers have racked up that perfect record and appear poised for a semifinal playoff berth. Miller is the Summer League’s leading scorer among players to appear in at least three games.
Following the team’s third win, which came on Tuesday night, Miller spoke exclusively with Russo Writes about several topics, including adding deceleration to his attacking off-the-dribble game, the new G League situation in Oceanside for the Clippers, getting to the free throw line, and much more.
The following interview has been edited for clarity.
Russo Writes: What has been the key for you in this setting, getting to the free throw line as much as you have?
Jordan Miller: “I keep saying it, but man, in the G League last year, really just got to kind of perfect my craft. And it’s something like, you know, nights when you’re maybe not hitting shots, if I get to the line, I know I can knock them down. Today was, you know, one of those rough nights [Miller went 3-for-9 on free throws on Tuesday], but I’m not going to worry about it, just put it in the past. Going to shoot a bunch of them tomorrow. So moving forward, I’ll knock them down. But man, just trying to figure it out and just honestly prepare for an opportunity, whatever opportunity I get.”
RW: You generally play within the flow of the offense. You don’t really chuck shots, you don’t really go out of your element. In games, how do you balance when, ‘Okay, now it’s my time to take over versus, hey, just stay with them myself’?
JW: “Yeah, honestly, just playing off an advantage. If you notice my game, I don’t play off disadvantage, kind of like you mentioned. You don’t see me just pat, pat, pat, shoot a side-contested three. But honestly, I’m really just preparing for whatever opportunity I get. We have James [Harden], we have Kawhi [Leonard], and I’m not going to be your primary ball handler. So I’m just trying to capitalize on all the time that I’m not playing with the big squad to prepare when I do, or if I do.”
RW: You mentioned the guys on the team. I know you said before that you’re looking for a guaranteed contract. Do you feel like with what you’ve shown you’ve earned one? Do you feel like they’re going to give it to you? How do you fit into that group?
JM: “I’ll say, at the end of the day, you can control what you can control. I’m not in a position to say I deserve one, I’m not in a position to say I don’t, you know what I mean? All I can do is come out, try to win basketball games and prove that I’m an NBA-caliber player. As far as fitting in, whatever the team needs, I’m willing to do. I’m hungry. As you can tell, last Summer League took me a little, I had to get comfortable. This Summer League, I’m a lot more comfortable. So for me, it’s just a matter of just getting comfortable. So I feel like [the] quicker I can get comfortable, the quicker I can contribute.”
RW: Have you heard any feedback from Clippers coaches about your Summer League yet?
JM: “Oh yeah, I mean, the biggest thing is what I’m doing defensively, right? Like, offensively, I’m not necessarily going crazy over what I do. A lot of people are surprised. But if you watch the G League games last season [you shouldn’t be surprised], you know what I mean? But I’m just trying to make sure I lock in on the defensive end because we have so many weapons with the big team. How I’m gonna get on the floor is defense, so a lot of coaches just talking to me defensive-wise and [I’m] just trying to stack defensive days.”
RW: I was talking to someone yesterday, and they were described to you as a very quick learner. They said some guys take a couple months, some guys take a year. They said you pick things up very quickly. That ability to pick things up so quickly on the fly, where did that come from?
JM: “Yeah, that’s a good question. I would say just trying to, the hunger, trying to find ways to contribute as quick as possible, and most of the time when you get to a new situation, it’s about learning. So I figured if I capitalize on my learning period, I can do better on the court, help the team out quicker.”
RW: What have you learned in that process of developing that deceleration, 1-2 step into your game and seeing how defenders try to react to that?
JM: “It’s just a bunch of trial and error. Each game I feel like I’m getting better at it and it’s just, you get two slow steps at any pace you want. Obviously, you got to be reasonable with it. But it’s gonna mess anybody up. I remember I fell for it, and as soon as I fell for it I was like I need to practice that. But still, [Anthony] Edwards does it a lot, there’s a couple other players, Luka [Doncic] does it a lot. But I wanted to just learn it and capitalize on it real quick and then become a master of it and see where it takes me.”
RW: The G League team is getting a new facility in Oceanside. Lawrence Frank said there will be facilities right next to the arena, dorms for players to live in, everything they need right there. Do you think that changes the development pattern for guys in the G League where they're not having to commute as far and figure things out to where everything's just right there at one spot?
JM: “For sure. One thing I’ve definitely realized and noticed is the G League doesn’t get a lot of love. The NBA uses the G League as a trial [and] error. But for me, when or if the opportunity ever comes where I’m a consistent player in the league, I definitely want to help, come back, be an ambassador for the G League. I feel like it deserves more. But it will help being closer to the facilities and stuff. It’s still a great league, don’t get me wrong, but there’s a difference, there’s a really big difference between being with the big club and being with the G League.”
The quality of Miller's answers are influenced by the quality of interviewer Russo's questions......excellent! Thanks for the high calibur Clippers content!